FORT KAMEHAMEHA DISTRICT, ENGINEERING QUAD AND SHINTO SHRINE AMONG 2008 MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC PLACES
Jill Byus Radke
FORT KAMEHAMEHA DISTRICT, ENGINEERING QUAD AND SHINTO SHRINE AMONG 2008 MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC PLACES
A 33-house historic district at Hickam Air Force Base, the last Shinto Shrine on Maui, and the oldest buildings at the century-old University of Hawai‘i campus are among the most endangered historic sites in the state.
Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s annual list of the nine most endangered historic sites in Hawai‘i will be discussed on Ho‘oulu Lahui Aloha, To Raise A Beloved Nation, on ‘Ōlelo Television, on Thursdays, October 30, November 6 and November 13 at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 53. It will also be webcast at http://www.olelo.com on “Channel 53” at the same time. Check local listing for broadcast dates on the neighbor islands.
“The nine sites vary by historic era, architectural style and original purpose,” said Kiersten Faulkner, Executive Director of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, “but they all contribute to our understanding of Hawaii’s history. The historic places we preserve, and the people whose stories they tell, make Hawai‘i what it is.”
Faulkner added that the list is intended to draw attention to threats to historic places that occur from a variety of sources, including neglect, natural disaster, or deliberate demolition, and to encourage community action to reverse the threats.
The 2008 Most Endangered Historic Sites list includes six locations on O‘ahu, and one each on Moloka‘i, Kaua‘i and Maui.
The Most Endangered Historic Sites list is developed annually by Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, in partnership with Honolulu Magazine. The full list is featured in the November issue of Honolulu.
The ‘Ōlelo panel consists of Faulkner, Katie Kastner, HHF’s Director of Field Services, and Pua Aiu, Administrator, SHPD; and is moderated by Kam Napier, Editor of Honolulu. The discussion includes why the site is historic, what threatens it, and what can be done about it. They also give updates about endangered sites from the previous year’s list.
“Hawai‘i is fortunate to have a legacy of historic places that provide all of us with a physical connection to the people and events that shaped this state,” said Faulkner. “Perpetuating the historic places of the islands provides a strong sense of identity for all people of Hawai‘i, as well as visitors who come to experience this unique destination.”
Historic Hawai‘i Foundation sought nominations from across the state and
consulted with State Historic Preservation Division architectural historians to
select the sites. While inclusion on the list does not automatically
protect or preserve the historic places, it is hoped that the list will raise
public awareness, and inspire the community to take action.
Listing on last year’s Most Endangered Historic Sites prompted significant community and property owner commitment to saving several places. Major reconstruction work on the earthquake-damaged Kalahikiola Congregational Church in Kohala is expected to be completed in 2010 and the Bond Estate has completed archiving more than 5000 artifacts taken from the damaged missionary house and complex. The Kōloa Jodo Mission on Kaua‘i and Kalaniana‘ole Hall on Moloka‘i have both undertaken major repair and restoration efforts.
The 2008 list of endangered sites and a discussion on what threatens each site is featured in the November issue of Honolulu magazine. Honolulu has partnered with HHF on the annual Most Endangered Historic Sites list since its inception in 2005.
The complete list of 2008 Most Endangered Historic Sites is:
· St. Sophia Church (Kaunakakai, Moloka‘i), a church built in 1937 to serve the sakadas (Filipino plantation workers) would be demolished under expansion plans being developed by the congregation. Preservation advocates would prefer to see the historic sanctuary retained with a compatible addition or annex to handle the increased demand.
· Fort Kamehameha (Hickam Air Force Base, O‘ahu), built in 1916 as an Army Coastal Artillery Post, the original Fort Kamehameha included both residential and military facilities. After coastal artillery became obsolete, the non-residential buildings were demolished. The remaining 33 homes comprise an intact historic district. The Air Force has proposed disposal of the homes by the end of 2009, either to a new lease or by demolition, citing safety concerns from aircraft flying over the area into Honolulu International Airport. The State of Hawai‘i has made an offer to enter into a long-term lease for the offices and storage needs for the Historic Preservation Division, but the negotiations have not concluded.
· ‘Auwai of Nu‘uanu Valley (Nu‘uanu, O‘ahu), is a system of elaborate ditches and water diversions built to irrigate taro and breadfruit in the late 18th century. As Nu‘uanu transitioned from agriculture to residential uses, and the land was divided into smaller parcels, maintenance of the system became erratic. The Nu‘uanu Valley ‘Auwai Study Group is working to educate property owners about the ditches and how to repair and maintain these water features.
· Kalauha‘eha‘e Fishpond (Niu Valley, O‘ahu) sits on what was once King Kamehameha’s kalo patch. Until the 1990’s, the fishpond was fed by a freshwater artesian spring, but roadwork on Kalaniana‘ole Highway disrupted the supply of fresh water and led to its stagnation. It no longer supports fish, although the pond is structurally sound. The nonprofit Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center is advocating that the Department of Transportation transfer the pond to a steward, such as the University of Hawai‘i, that can restore and use the site as an educational resource.
· Engineering Quad (Mānoa, O‘ahu) are some of the oldest buildings on the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s campus. The four buildings, located next to the Campus Center, are targeted for demolition by a student group that wants to expand the fitness center and gym. Feasibility studies commissioned by the University demonstrated that some or all of the historic buildings could be incorporated into the program and design for the expanded student services.
· IBM Building (Honolulu, O‘ahu) was designed by Vladimir Ossipoff in 1962. Its distinctive grille has made it one of Honolulu’s most iconic buildings. The building would be demolished under a master plan for the Kaka‘ako area submitted to Hawai‘i Community Development Authority by owner General Growth Properties, unless the plan is amended and the building’s preservation made a condition of HCDA’s approval.
· Maui Jinsha Shinto Shrine (Paukukalo, Maui) is the only remaining original Shinto shrine on Maui, and one of very few left in the state. It was originally constructed in 1915 in Kahului, but was relocated in 1954 over the course of an entire year. It is threatened by age and deferred maintenance, which could be reversed with adequate funding and careful craftsmanship.
· ‘Ewa Marine Air Station (‘Ewa Field, O‘ahu) was originally established in 1925 as a Navy field for dirigibles, although it was only used sporadically until the Marine Corps converted it to an active airfield during the build-up to WWII. On December 7, 1941, Japanese fighter pilots destroyed or damaged almost 50 aircraft and killed four Marines. The military installation was closed in the 1990s and the land parcels have slowly been transferred into other hands. The Navy recently leased the parcel including the main airfield to private developer Ford Island Properties without the historic resource inventory requested by the State Historic Preservation Division. The developer has not announced plans for the site.
· Coco Palms Resort (Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i) is one of Hawai‘i’s classic resorts. The original hotel was constructed in 1953, although the site’s historic significance dates back much further. It was a favorite center for Hawaiian monarchy, including high chief Deborah Kapule in the mid-1800s. The hotel was shuttered after it was hit hard by Hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992 and has been deteriorating ever since. Various redevelopment and educational plans have all failed from lack of financing.
Historic Hawai‘i Foundation is a membership-based statewide nonprofit organization that encourages the preservation of historic sites across the state. For more information, or to become a member, see www.historichawaii.org
Jill Byus Radke
Development Director
Historic Hawaii Foundation
ji...@historichawaii.org
680 Iwilei Road w Suite 690 w Honolulu w HI 96817
phone: 808/523-2900w fax: 808/523-0800
http://www.historichawaii.org
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